a big bulk of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big bulk of" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used informally to refer to a large quantity or amount of something, but it's better to use more conventional expressions. Example: "A big bulk of the budget was allocated to marketing."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But there is still a big bulk of business that is conducting business as usual.

The Guardian

Banks and brokerage firms place the trades, large private transactions typically negotiated outside the scope of an exchange, as a service to investors that want to purchase a big bulk of derivatives.

The New York Times

"We've got a squad of 22 and there is a big bulk of them missing.

BBC

Private funding provides a big bulk of funding for ambulance services in New Zealand.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

If you want a good level of brand awareness (albeit coming across as one who will offer discounts) then going out to a large number of emails is definitely a positive, plus you'll get a big bulk of customers who may or may not come back and orders to keep you busy.

TechCrunch

The major problem with this agency comes from the fact that a big bulk of Ex-Im funds go to huge, wealthy companies, such as the Ex-Im's largest beneficiary Boeing, which in 2013 received 30percentt of its loans and guarantees.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It shows their country truncated, reduced to an elongated sliver of land with the big bulk of India to the east, and an enlarged Afghanistan to the west.

The New York Times

BBF is a gift-in-kind charity, meaning the big bulk of the donations are goods, rather than money.

Forbes

The big bulk of my work is taking people through a tunnel they didn't expect had light on the other side.

Harvard University

The business community still has a lot of work to do, to make it trickle down to the big bulk of business out there in the big, big world".

The Guardian

"We're still interested in giving you more money, but giving the big bulk of more money to the teachers who do the best job".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal writing, consider using more standard alternatives like "a large portion of" or "a significant amount of" instead of "a big bulk of" to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "a big bulk of" in contexts where formality is expected. Opt for more precise and widely accepted terms to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big bulk of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying a noun. It indicates a considerable amount or portion of something. Ludwig AI suggests that it might sound awkward and proposes alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

14%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "a big bulk of" is considered somewhat informal and may not be the most standard choice in formal writing. Ludwig AI suggests opting for alternatives like "a large portion of" or "a significant amount of" for enhanced clarity. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media sources but less so in academic or scientific contexts. Therefore, consider your audience and the level of formality required when deciding whether to use "a big bulk of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large portion of

Emphasizes the part-whole relationship, suggesting a considerable segment of a whole.

a significant amount of

Highlights the substantial quantity, implying importance or impact.

a considerable quantity of

Stresses the size of the amount, suggesting it's worthy of attention.

a substantial proportion of

Formal alternative, emphasizing the relative size within a larger context.

a major part of

Highlights the importance and size of the segment.

a great deal of

Indicates a high quantity or intensity, suitable for uncountable nouns.

the majority of

Implies over 50% of the total, focusing on dominance.

a sizable chunk of

More informal, suggesting a large and somewhat undefined portion.

a large share of

Highlights the portion received or owned, often in a competitive context.

a good percentage of

Specifies an approximate portion using percentages.

FAQs

What does "a big bulk of" mean?

The phrase "a big bulk of" refers to a large quantity or a significant portion of something. It is often used informally to describe a considerable amount.

What can I say instead of "a big bulk of"?

You can use alternatives like "a large portion of", "a significant amount of", or "a considerable quantity of" depending on the context.

Is "a big bulk of" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "a big bulk of" is less formal and may sound awkward in some contexts. Consider using more standard phrasing for improved clarity and formality.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "a big bulk of"?

The phrase "a big bulk of" is more suited for informal conversations or less formal writing. For academic, professional, or news contexts, use more precise and formal alternatives.